NPSOT Logo

Join or Renew

Donate

Shop

Member Portal

Native Plant Society of Texas

Twistleaf Yucca

Yucca rupicola

Twisted-leaf Yucca, Texas Yucca, Spanish Dagger

Photo Credit: Mark Richert
Photo Credit: Mark Richert
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo credit, Claire Sorenson
Photo credit, Claire Sorenson
NPSOT Logo

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Grassland, Woodland
Edwards Plateau

Maintenance

Twist-leaf yucca is great to plant in dry, shady spots and shaded rock gardens., Spent flower stems add summer/winter interest, remove before spring. Summer: Remove flower stalks after blooming. Little to no maintenance required. Winter: Remove dead leaves, if desired.

Comments

Leaves blue-green & twist with age; deer will eat the clusters of white bell shaped flowers, but not foliage. Found on rocky hillsides of limestone ledges, open plains, woodlands. Endemic to the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion of Texas. Larval Host: Kendall’s Yucca Skipper.

Growth Form

Cactus & Succulent

Height

1 to
2 ft

Spread

1 to
1 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Caliche, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Deer, Hummingbirds, Moths

Visit us at https://npsot.org

Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Yucca tortifolia

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 265. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=YURU. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Yucca+rupicola&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=245&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=565606#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Contact us

Follow the Native Plant Society of Texas on social media

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Stay Informed

To keep up with what’s new at the Native Plant Society of Texas, subscribe to the state office email list. We won’t share your information with anyone.

Subscribe

Become a Member

Become an important part of a statewide community with over 3,000 members, who are united in our mission to promote Texas native plants!

Join Us!
Member Portal
Chapter Tool Chest
Admin Login

Native Plant Society of Texas is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization This website and all content Copyright © Native Plant Society of Texas. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission. Contact the Webmaster.